International students and mining companies from around the world will be heading to Cornwall for the 40th International Mining Games at King Edward Mine Museum, near Camborne, from March 29 - 31 (Thursday to Saturday).

Around 40 teams from universities in Australia, USA, Brazil and Europe, including seven teams from the Camborne School of Mines, will compete in a series of gruelling traditional challenges and events.

This free event is open to the public, with all welcome to attend. Visitors are encouraged to obtain tickets online via Eventbrite here. There will be a park and ride service from Heartlands on March 30 and 31 (Good Friday and Easter Saturday) from 9am, with regular shuttles running until 5pm.

It is the second time that Camborne School of Mines, based at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus, has hosted the event, having previously welcomed some of the world’s best and brightest mining students to Cornwall in 2012. It also sees the games return to the mining landscape where many of the techniques on show were developed.

The games look to remind the world that Cornwall and specifically the Camborne School of Mines continues to make a valuable contribution, which will inspire children in local schools to think about an exciting future career in engineering. Alex Perry, chair of CSM International Mining Games, said: “I consider myself fortunate to have studied at CSM and as I near completion of my degree have come to appreciate the significance of the reputation and history of CSM.

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"The Mining Games are a unique opportunity to showcase a modern mining industry to Cornwall and to the world. The publicity surrounding the games will play an important part in inspiring young people to get involved with sciences and engineering"

Teams from seven countries will pit their skills against each other in seven demanding events that hark back to the industrial heritage of mining, in a bid to be crowned world champions.

It is the second time Camborne School of Mines has hosted the event

During the competition the teams will be heaving mine wagons, laying rail tracks and chiselling through granite. Events such as ‘jackleg drilling’, ‘mucking’ and ‘track stand’ test the competitors’ physical strength, speed and endurance, while challenges like surveying depend more on knowledge and quick thinking. All rely on preparation and excellent teamwork.

What's happening?

Thursday, March 29 is a training day when competing teams from across the world meet and practice the events. It will be a chance for teams to see who their likely rivals will be, test unfamiliar equipment and iron out any last minute issues.

Friday, March 30 will be the first main day of competition that sees the women's, mixed (co-ed) and alumni teams compete across six of the seven events. The men’s teams will be competing in the Survey event.

The final day of competition will be on Saturday, March 31 with the men's teams competing for the top places. The women's, mixed (co-ed) and alumni teams will be competing in the survey event.

The award ceremony marks the end of the games and will take place on Sunday, April 1, with overall winning teams being invited to take part in a second ceremony with the Man Engine – the largest mechanical puppet built in the UK. Will Coleman will be presenting the winners of each category at the end of his ‘Afternooner’ event at Heartlands.

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In the week leading up to the games, Camborne School of Mines has been holding the inaugural Cornwall School Mining Games, where teams from local schools compete in a range of activities inspired by the International competition.

Held on Monday, March 26, and also at the King Edward Mine, eight teams of 12-13 year old students will have learned about mining heritage in Cornwall, while engaging in a number of hands on events, appropriate for their age. It is hoped this will become an annual event in Cornwall.

The history of Camborne School of Mines

CSM has been in existence since its establishment by JJ Beringer in 1888 and continues to deliver practical and academically astute graduates into mining companies around the world.

This globally recognised mining school is now based at Penryn Campus and continues to thrive under the stewardship of the University of Exeter. The school continues to adapt to ever evolving challenges and more recently has embarked on innovative research and teaching such as mine automation.

The event is free for the public to attend

Camborne graduates are amongst the most employable and highly paid across all industries. In addition to mining, CSM provides graduates to the civil engineering (tunnelling) and oil and gas sectors.

While some might consider the mining industry to be purely part of Cornwall’s history, the future of mining is still very bright indeed. The Camborne School of Mines provides specialist, innovative and hands-on education and consulting. The mining industry also benefits from London-based finance and investment.

King Edward Mine

King Edward Mine has a long history of mining education and is once again the main venue. During the IMG contest, King Edward Mine’s mill and museum will be open, and there will be regular tours so that the public can see the rare, historic mining equipment working to process tin ore.

Kevin Baker, director of King Edward Mine Museum, said: "We are delighted to be able to help host the Mining Games. There could be nowhere more appropriate for this event. This will be good for CSM, Camborne and Cornwall."

Over the winter, King Edward Mine has been running a weekly science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) club for primary school children on Saturday mornings. Recent renewed interest in science-based activities has meant that the club is over-subscribed but a new programme is expected to be organised later in the year.

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Mining graduates are amongst the highest-earning graduates in the UK and enjoy some of the highest rates of employment. CSM is the only institution in the UK where students can study mining and produces more mining engineering graduates than all of the Australian mining schools combined.

It is rooted both in Cornwall’s mining history and future and is committed to supporting young people from Cornwall and the South West to access mining education regardless of their financial background.

Camborne School of Mines

With 130 years’ heritage in research and education and a history of working with international businesses, it is well placed to deliver global impact. CSM has recently used its expertise to successfully deliver projects to reduce costs, increase energy and water efficiency and improve safety through innovative mining education and technical innovation.

A larger number of former CSM students, many of whom now hold senior positions in international mining companies, will be returning to cheer on the CSM teams.

Tony Batchelor, chairman of the Camborne School of Mines Trust, reiterates the significance of the games: “I have no hesitation in suggesting that our guests from across the world, including the Brazil team for whom we were able to secure last minute financial support, will leave Cornwall with a lasting memory of our mining heritage, our beautiful coastline and warm hospitality”.

Dave Hosken, dean of strategic development for the University of Exeter in Cornwall added: “The University of Exeter is proud to be part of the International Mining Games that are raising awareness of the appeal of studying sciences and engineering in a lifestyle location which has no parallel. You only have to talk with one of our CSM Alumni members to appreciate how rewarding a career in the mining industry can be.”